Family Related Stress

With the holiday season almost here, people are already feeling the pressure to create a perfect experience for friends and family, to match the expectations placed on them by others. Rather than looking forward to the Christmas/New Year break, and the school holidays if there are young children to consider, people often dread this time of year, and instead, spend the time in a heightened state of stress. Fighting for car parks at overcrowded shopping centres, the uncertainty when choosing gifts, trying to cater for increased numbers around the party table and finding the time to clean the house for an influx of guests is just too much to cope with all at once.

This often happens because the reality of daily life rarely matches the hype, but it is possible to minimise the damage that can be caused by putting in place a few simple strategies to manage the conflicting demands on time, money and goodwill. If the situation demands more intervention than self-help can deliver, by seeking counselling Brisbane people overwhelmed by even the thought of holidays can be assisted to develop coping mechanisms. Here are a few suggestions that may help to bring the “Merry” back into Christmas:

=> Work out a spending budget, do a shopping list and stick to it. The whole retail industry is geared to separating shoppers from their money, and impulse buying, especially on credit, will only delay the stress until the bill comes in.

=> Consciously choose which functions you can comfortably attend and say a polite “no thank you” to the others. People who spread themselves too thin can quickly become fatigued, depleting their immune systems and leaving them vulnerable to illness.

=> Recognise that not all family relationships are congenial, and if there are unresolved differences between family members, accept the situation and the people and don’t take on the pressure to be the peacemaker.

=> Realise that no-one can turn back time! This is especially relevant to older people who fuss when they can’t keep all the family traditions going. Families grow and spread, and as new members enter the fold, they bring with them their own, equally charming traditions. Acknowledge that some people won’t get together until Boxing Day or New Year, and bend a little.
 

Much of the stress of the holiday season is caused by behaviours we choose, and the way we manage the whole scene. By making a conscious decision to plan, being firm with demands from others, and approaching it all with a relaxed attitude, the stress will fade, and everyone will enjoy the vibe. If it is still too much, through sessions with a psychologist Brisbane people can develop stress relieving strategies for every situation.